Covering Athol, Orange, Petersham, Phillipston and Royalston.
At the start of the Civil War, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ state legislature formalized the assistance provided to veterans by establishing Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 115 and the Massachusetts Department of Veterans’ Services.
In January 2006, pursuant to Chapter 115, and authorized by the Secretary-Massachusetts Department of Veterans’ Services, the Northeast Quabbin Veterans' Services District (NQD) began formal operations. NQD member communities are: Athol, Orange, Petersham, Phillipston and Royalston.
NQD serves eligible veterans and/or dependents with a formal residence in one of the district communities. NQD provides access to federal, state and local government departments and local nonprofit agencies that offer programs and services available to the men and women who have borne the burden of military duty–and to their families.
M.G.L. Chapter 115 enables every eligible Massachusetts veteran to receive certain financial, medical, and other benefits earned by military service. In addition, NQD assists a surviving spouse connect with benefits.